Inlays and Onlays Procedure

Typically, an inlay or onlay procedure is completed in two dental visits.

During your first visit, we prepare the damaged tooth. A molded impression of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where an inlay or onlay is fabricated.

Inlays and onlays can be made from gold, porcelain or resin materials. The difference is in the appearance of the finished restoration. A fitted, provisional inlay or onlay in the shape of the final restoration can be created during this visit to protect the tooth while the final restoration is being fabricated.

We might discuss with you the best type of inlay or onlay material to use. If esthetics is not a concern (for example, with back molars), gold is the best option. Porcelain inlays and onlays offer the best esthetics and are often used in the “smile line” areas. Resin materials may be the best option for people who grind their teeth and/or those with a misaligned bite (malocclusion).

During your second visit, the provisional temporary is removed and your inlay or onlay is placed.

Inlays and onlays are extremely stable restorations that seldom fail. We will check all margins to ensure a smooth fit with tight adjacent contacts. We will also check your bite to ensure that there are no occlusion-related problems affecting the margins of the restoration. Once fitted, the inlay or onlay is bonded onto the tooth and the margins are polished.

The materials used to fabricate inlays and onlays continue to evolve and become more natural and tooth-like in terms of structure, how they wear and their longevity. The use of inlays and onlays for restorative purposes is not likely to be replaced by another treatment any time soon due to the combination of excellent functional longevity and esthetic naturalness associated with inlays and onlays. In fact, maintaining tooth color over the course of your lifetime with an inlay or onlay may be further enhanced as the materials continue to improve, adding to the esthetic value of the restoration.